Friction shock absorber



p 1945. s. B. HASELTINE ETAL FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1943 Patented Sept. 4, 1945 rare-non snocx ansoaam 8taeyB.1iaselt|ne,LaG l lI,andGeorgeE. Dath,chicalo.lll.,alaignorataw.lllliner,

Inc.,

Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application December 22, 1943, Serial No. 515,212

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbers, especially adapted for use in connection with truck springs of railway cars for snubbing the action of the truck springs.

.One object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorber comprising a plurality of relatively movable friction members having interengaging friction surfaces extending lengthwise thereof, together with spring means opposing relative movement of said members, wherein the spring resistance also acts to force certain of said members laterally against the remaining members to provide tight frictional engagement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shock absorber, as specified in the preceding paragraph wherein certain of the interengaging friction members are tapered lengthwise to force the friction members laterally toward each other to produce the proper frictional contact between the friction surfaces thereof.

A more specific object of the invention is to -provide a friction shock absorber comprising two sets of lengthwise relatively movable friction members, and spring means yieldingly opposing relative lengthwise movement of said sets of mem- .bers, wherein the members of one set are intereslated with the members of the other set, and one member of each set is laterally tiltable, and the spring means exerts pressure on said tiltable member to tilt the same against the adjacent members to press said members of said sets together into tight frictional contact.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein certain of said intercalated members are tapered to wedge said intercalated members in tight frictional contact.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of our improved shock absorber, said section being in a plane coincident with the central verticalaxisofthe. F'lgure2isatop plan view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a transverse. horizontal sectional view, corresponding substantiallytothelineI-Iofl'lgurel. Fisureiis an elevational view of one of the friction shoes of our improved shock absorber, the shoe illustrated being the upper shoe at the left hand side of Figure 1, looking from left to ri ht in said figure. Flgure5isaview,simllartol'igure1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention. Figureois aview,similartoF'lgure 1,illustrating still another embodiment of the invention. 8-

corresponding substantially to the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, our improved shock absorber comprises broadly upper and lower friction posts A and B; upper and lower friction shoes 0 and D, having frictional engagement with each other and with the posts; and a spring resistance E surrounding the posts and shoes and yieldinsly pposing relative movement of the same.

The friction posts A and B are of like design, but reversely arranged, the post A being inverted with respect to the position of the post B. The posts A and B are arranged at opposite sides of the mechanism, respectively at the top and bottom thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Each post c a relatively heavy, transversely curved plate member II and a laterally 2o projecting, curved base flange II at one'end of theplatemember,thebaseflange ll of thepost A being at the upper end thereof and projectin: laterally outwardly, and the base flange ll of thepostBbeingatthelower end thereof and projecting laterally outwardly in a direction oppositetothefiange ofthepostA.

The friction plate member III of each post is tapered toward its outer end and presents on its outer side a longitudinally extending. transverse- 1y curved surface II. The surface I! isoftrue cylindrical contour and is inclined with respect to the vertical central axis of the mechanism, except at the base of the post where it extends vertically being parallel to said axis, said vertical as face portion being indicated by Hi. On the inner side, the plate member ll of each post presents a transversely curved, truly cylindrical friction surface ll, which is inclined with respect to said vertical central axis, the inclination being reverse to that of the outer surface It, as shown in Figure 1. The friction surface ll of the plate member ll of the post A, considered as extending downwardly, is inclined away from the central vertical axis of the mechanism, and the friction surface I! of the plate member ll of the post B, considered as extending upwardly, is also inclined away from said axis. The two friction surfaces l3-i3 of the posts A and B preferably have the same inclination. The outer surface I! oftheplatememberilofthepostgconsidered asextendingdownwardly,isinclinedtowardthe centralverticalaxisofthemechanismandthe surface." ofthemember llofthepcstmconsidererlasextentiililtwin-rill,isalsoinclinecl ureiisatransversehoflxontalseeflonalvlemllinwardiytowardaaidaxia The base flange ll of the post A has the upper surface |4 thereof disposed at a slight angle to a plane at right angles to the central vertical adapted to fulcrum on their outer ends. The plate III of each post has an inturned stop lug H at its outer end, the lugs l5|5 of the posts A and B being respectively at the lower and' upper ends thereof. At the base portion of each post, a horizontally disposed interior web it is provided on the inner side of the plate lil'. web forms a stop for limiting compression of the mechanism, as hereinafter pointed out.

The shoes C and D are of similar design. Each bases, the base flanges ll of said posts being This,

shoe comprises a relatively heavy platelike memher i! and a base portion It provided with a laterally outwardly extending flange I9. On the inner side, the plate member of each shoe is provided with a longitudinally extending flat friction surface 20. The friction surface extends vertically and engages the friction surface 20 of the other shoe. The plate member of the shoe has a longitudinally extending, transversely curved, exterior friction surface 2| at the end thereof remote from the base portion l8, which is of true cylindrical contour and is inclined to the vertical. The outer surface portion 22 of the plate member I! of the shoe, between the base portion l8 and the friction surface 2| is transversely curved and extends vertically, merging with the inner end of the surface 2 I. The transversely curved surface portion 22 is vertically grooved at the mid portion thereof, as indicated by 23, thereby providing a horizontal stop shoulder 24 at the inner end of the friction surface 2|. The base portion |8 is'thickened inwardly of the flange l9, thereby providing a ledge 25 acting as an abutment or stop to limit compression of the mechanism, as hereinafter pointed out. The base flange I9 is disposed at right angles to the vertical friction surface 20 of the shoe so that it will bear flatly on a horizontal surface.

The friction posts or plate members A and B are disposed at opposite sides of the mechanism, the post A being at the right hand side and the post B at the left hand side, as shown in Figure 1, with the flange II at the base of the post A at the upper end of the mechanism and projecting laterally outwardly, and the friction surface l3 of the plate member H) of said post facing inwardly, and with the flange II at the base of the post B at the lower end of the mechanism and projecting laterally outwardly, and the friction surface l3 of the plate member ID of said post 13 facing inwardly and opposed to the friction surface of the post A. The friction shoes C and D are -disposed at opposite sides of the center of the mechanism, the shoe C being at the left hand side and the shoe D at the right hand side, as shown in Figure 1, with the flanged end of the former at the upper end of the mechanism and that of the shoe D at the lower-end. The friction plate member I! of the shoe C depends from the flange I9 thereof and has the friction surface 20, which is on the innerside thereof,

slidingly engaged with the friction surface 2|! of the upstanding plate member ll of the shoe D. The outer friction surfaces 2|2| of the shoes C and D are respectively engaged with the interior friction surfaces |3-|3 of the posts B and A, and are correspondingly inclined thereto, to assure true surface contact. The lugs |5-|5 at the outer ends of the inner friction surfaces Ill-l3 of the posts A and B are engaged respectively with the shoulders 2l--24 of the shoes D and C and limit lengthwise separation of the posts and shoes and serve-to hold the mechanism assembled.

The spring E, which is in the form of a single coil, surrounds the shoes and posts and bears at its upper end on. the flanges ll and IQ of the post A and shoe C and at its lower end on the flanges II and I9 of the pest B and shoe D. The spring E is under initial compression in the normal expanded condition of the shock absorber and presses the posts against the shoes, due to the pressure exerted on the base flanges II of the posts, which are fulcruined at their outer sides. The spring E closely embraces the base portions of the posts A and B, the inner side of the top coil having bearing engagement at the right hand side of the mechanism with the vertical face 2 of the base portion of the post A, and the inner side of the bottom coil having bearing engagement at the left hand side of the mechanism with the face 2 of the base portion of the post B. Slight clearance is preferably provided between the inner side of the coil spring and the outer walls of the raised ledge portions 25-25 at the base portions of the shoes C and D.

To accommodate the spring centering projection usually employed on the top and bottom spring follower plates of a cluster of truck springs, the base portions of the shoes C and D and posts A and B are recessed to provide seats 26-26.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the construction is the'sameas that shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and. 4, with the exception that the cooperating friction surfaces of the posts and shoes are perpendicular, that is, are not inclined and the shoes are tiltable, having the outer surfaces of their base flanges inclined to the horizontal to provide for tilting action. In Figure 5, the parts of the shock absorber which are similar to those described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive are indicated by the same reference characters used in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

As shown in Figure 5, the transversely curved plate members IO-IO of the posts A and B have transversely curved, cylindrical friction surfaces ||3-| H on their inner sides, which are parallel to the central vertical axis of the mechanism, and the plate members of the shoes C and D have transversely curved, cylindrical friction surfaces I 2 2| on their outer sides, which are also parallel to the vertical axis of the mechanism. The friction surfaces |2| of the shoes have lengthwise sliding engagement with the friction surfaces of the posts. shoe C has its top surface l9 inclined to the horizontal in a direction outwardly away from the central vertical axis of the mechanism. The flange of the bottom shoe D also has the bottom surface thereof inclined to the horizontal in a direction outwardly away from said axis. The shoes C and D are thus arranged for tilting movement outwardly away from the center of the mechanism, respectively towards the friction post B and A.

The flange I9 of the top Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the construction is the same as that shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, with the exception that the cooperating friction surfaces of the posts and shoes are perpendicular, that is, are not inclined, and the interengaging friction surfaces of the shoes are at a slight angle to the vertical, that is, are slightly inclined and the shoes are tiltable as in the form of the invention shown in Figure 5.

In Figures 6 and "I, the parts of the shock absorber, which are similar to those described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, are indicated by the same reference characters used in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the transversely curved plate members lll of the posts A and B have transversely curved, cylindrical friction surfaces 2 I I on their inner sides, which are parallel to the central vertical axis of the mechanism, and the plate members lI-Il of the shoes 0 and D have transversely curved, cylindrical friction surfaces 22 |--22l on their outer sides, which are also parallel to said vertical axis, and longitudinally extending, flat friction surfaces iii-220 on their inner sides which extend at a slight angle to said axis, that is, are inclined to the vertical.

The direction of inclination of the friction surfaces 220420 of the shoes is such that each shoe is, in effect, tapered from the inner to the outer end, whereby when said shoes are slid lengthwise with respect to each other they are wedged apart laterally.

In assembling our improved shock absorber, the same procedure is followed in all of the embodiments of the invention illustrated. The coil spring E is first engaged over the plate members of the post B and the shoe D. The post A and sh'oe C are then assembled with the other parts by entering the plate members II and I1 thereof within the spring coil spring E, through the upper end of the latter, and engaging the plate member H of the shoe 0 between the plate member I ll of the post B and plate member I! of the shoe D and the plate member ll of the post A between the plate member I! of the hoe D and the inner side of the spring E. While the parts are being thus intercalated, the posts A and B are held in tilted position so that the lugs l S-l I thereof will clear the outer friction surfaces of the shoes. The mechanism i compressed until the lug lB-II pass and snap underneath the shoulders 24- of the shoes.

Our improved shock absorber illustrated in Figgures l to 4 inclusive, Figure 5, and Figures 6 and on their cooperating friction surfaces It and II. Due to the pivoted arrangement of th posts A and B, the pressure of the spring E maintains tight contact between the friction surfaces of the posts and shoes, and between the friction surface of the two shoes, the latter being squeezed to-. gether between \the posts. As compression of the mechanism progresses, the posts A and B are, spread apart through the wedging action provided by the cooperating inclined friction surfaces of the shoes and posts, the posts being tilted outwardly against the resistance of the spring E.

'High frictional resistance is thus produced to effectively snub the action of the truck springs.

As the spring follower plates of the truck springs are separated, due to recoil of the springs, the friction posts A and B and the shoes 0 and D are moved apart lengthwise by the expansive action of the spring E, thereby restoring the parts to the normal release position shown in Figure 1, lengthwise separation of the posts and shoes being limited by engagement of the lugs lS-li of the posts A and B with the shoulders 2l2l of the shoes D and C.

The operation of the shock absorber illustrated in Figure 5 is the same as the operation of the mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that there is no wedging action between the shoes and posts, the required pressure to maintain the desired frictional resistance between the various friction surfaces being provided by tilting action of the shoes against the posts, the shoes in addition to the posts being fulcrumed on their bases for rocking movement toward the posts.

The operation of the shock absorber illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that the shoes are tiltable toward 40 the posts A and B and have wedging engagement 7 preferably replaces one of the spring units of a truck spring cluster, however, several of our improved shock absorbers may be employed in a single spring cluster, replacing two or more units of the same, said shock absorber being interposed between the top and bottom spring follower plates of the spring cluster.

The operation of the improved shock absorber illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive is as follows: Upon the spring cluster of the truck of a railway car being compressed between the spring follower plates of said cluster, our improved shock absorber, which is disposed between said follower plates, is compressed therewith, forcing the posts A and B and the friction shoes C and D toward each other, lengthwise of the mechanism against the resistance of the spring E, thereby effecting relative sliding movement between the shoes C and D on their friction surfaces 202l and relative sliding movement of the shoes and the posts with each other to produce the desired pressure on the friction surface of the parts of the mechanism instead of the wedging action being provided between the posts and shoes as in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

We have herein shown and described what we now consider the preferred manner of carrying out our invention, but the same is merely illustrative and we contemplate all changes and modiflcations that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with a pair of upper and lower friction members disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the mechanism and having cooperating, lengthwise extending, interengaging friction surfaces on their inner sides, said members being slidable lengthwise with respect to each other: of an additional pair of upper and lower friction members disposed respectively on opposite sides of said first named friction members and having sliding frictional engagement with the outer sides of said first named upper and lower members, respectively, each of said upper and lower members having a laterally extending flange projecting from the outer side thereof; and a spring surrounding said upper and lower members, said 7 spring being interposed between and engaging.

said flanges of said upper and lower members to oppose relative approach of said upper and lower members lengthwise of the mechanism, said spring opposing lateral separation of said members.

2. In a friction shock absorber, the combinatudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof, said shoes having lengthwise sliding engagement with each other on said inner surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, said upper and lower shoes and posts having base flanges rigid therewith, the base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed at their outer ends to provide rocking movement of said posts toward said shoes; and a spring surrounding said posts and shoes and bearing at its upper and lower ends on the base flanges of said posts and shoes.

3, In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, said shoe having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from the outer side thereof of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side thereof, said last named shoe having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper friction post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, said upper post having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from the outer side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of the posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to mount said posts for tilting movement; and a spring surroundin said posts and bearing at its upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts and shoes.

4. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, a transversely rounded, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the outer side thereof, and a laterally extending base flange projecting from the outer side at the upper end thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, a transversely rounded, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the outer side thereof, and a laterally extending base flange projectingfrom the outer side thereof, said shoes bein in sliding engagement with each other on said innet surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said posts having transversely curved, concave friction surfaces on their inner sides engaging the rounded friction surfaces of said lower and upper shoes, respectively, said upper post hav ng a laterally extending base flange at the upper and projecting from one side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to provide tilting movement of said posts: and a coil spring surrounding said posts and bearing at the upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts.

5. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with a pair of upper and lower friction members disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the mechanism and having cooperating, lengthwise extending, interengaging friction surfaces on their inner sides, said members being slidable lengthwise with respect to each other; of an additional pair of upper and lower friction members disposed respectively on opposite sides'of said flrst named friction members and having sliding frictional engagement with the outer sides of said first named upper and lower members, respectively, oncooperating friction surfaces inclined to the vertical, each of said upper and lower members having a laterally extending flange projecting from the outer side thereof; and a spring surrounding said upper and lower members, said spring being interposed between and engaging said flanges of said upper and lower members to oppose relative approach of said upper and lower members lengthwise of the mechanism, said spring opposing lateral separation of said members.

6. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof, said shoes having lengthwise sliding engagement with each other on said inner surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoeyion cooperating friction surfaces inclined to the vertical, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, on cooperating friction surfaces inclined to the vertical, said upper and lower shoes and posts having base flanges rigid therewith, the base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed at their outer ends to provide rocking movement of said posts toward said shoes; and a spring surrounding Said posts and shoes and bearing at its upper and lower ends on the base flanges of said posts and shoes.

'7. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, said shoe having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from the outer side thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side thereof, said last named shoe having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper friction posts having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, on cooperating friction surfaces inclined to the vertical, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, on cooperating friction surfaces inclined to the vertical, said upper post having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from the outer side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of the posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to mount said posts for tilting movement; and a spring surrounding said posts and bearing at its upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts and shoes.

8. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, a transversely rounded, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the outer side thereof inclined to the vertical, and a laterally extending base flange projecting from the outer side at the upper end thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disfriction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said posts having transversely curved, concave friction surfaces on their inner sides engaging the rounded friction surfaces of said lower and upper shoes, respectively, said upper post having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from one side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to provide tilting movement of said posts; and a coil spring surrounding said posts and bearing at the upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts.

9. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with a pair of-upper and lower friction members disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the mechanism an having cooperating, lengthwise extending, interengaging friction surfaces on their inner sides, said friction surfaces being inclined to the vertical, said members being slidable lengthwise with respect to each other; of an additional pair of upper and lower friction members disposed respectively on oppositesides of said first named friction members and having sliding frictional engagement with the outer sides of said flrst named upper and lower members, respectively, each of said upper and lower members having a laterally extending flange projecting from the outer side thereof; and a spring suring base flange projecting from the outer side at the up r end'thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed friction surone side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to'provide tilting movement of said posts; and a coil spring surrounding said posts and bearing at the upper and lower ends on said flanges of said 12. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with a pair of upper and lower friction memrounding said upper and lower members, said spring being interposed between and engaging said flanges of said upper an lower members to oppose relative approach of said upper and lower members lengthwise of the mechanism, said spring opposing lateral separation of said mem- 10. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof inclined to the vertical: of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof inclined to the vertical, said shoes having lengthwise sliding engagement with each other on said inner surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, said upper and lower shoes and posts having base flanges rigid therewith, the base flanges of sai posts being fulcrumed at their outer ends to provide rocking movement of said posts toward said shoes; and a spring surrounding said posts and shoes and bearing at its upper and lower ends on the base flanges of said posts and shoes.

11. In a friction shock abmrber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the inner side inclined to the vertical, a transversely rounded, longitudinally dispoud friction surface on the outer side thereof, and a laterally extendbers disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the mechanism and having cooperating, lengthwise extending, interengaging friction surfaces on their inner sides, said'members being slidable lengthwise with respect to each other; of an additional pair of upper and lower friction members. disposed respectively on opposite sides of said first named friction members and having sliding frictional engagement with the outer sides of said first named upper and lower members, respectively, each of said upper and lower members having a laterally extending flange projectin fromthe outer side thereof, said flanges being fulcrumed for rocking movement; and a spring surrounding said upper and lower members, said spring being interposed between and engaging said flanges of said upper and lower members to oppom relative approach of said upper and lower members lengthwise of the mechanism, said spring opposing lateral separation of said mem- 13. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof; of a lower friction shoe having a longitudinally extending friction surface on the inner side thereof, said shoes having lengthwise sliding engagement with each other on said inner surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, said upper and lower shoes and posts having base flanges rigid therewith, the base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed at their outer ends to provide rocking movement of said posts toward said shoes, the base flanges of said shoes being fulcrumed at their inner ends to provide for rocking movefrom the outer side thereof, said base flange being fulcrumed at its inner end; ofa lower friction shoe having a longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side thereof, said last named shoe having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flange being fulcrinned at its inner end; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said upper friction post having lengthwise sliding engagement with the outer side of said lower shoe, and said lower post having lengthwise sliding'engagement with the outer side of said upper shoe, said upper post having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from the outer side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of the posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to mount said posts for tilting movement; and a spring surrounding said posts and hearing at its upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts and shoes.

15. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with an upper friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, a transversely rounded, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the outer side thereof, and a laterally extending base flange projecting from the outer side at the upper end thereof, said base flange, being fulcrumed at its inner end; of a lower friction shoe having a flat, longitudinally disposed, vertical friction surface on the inner side, a transversely rounded, longitudinally disposed friction surface on the outer side thereof, and a laterally extending base flange projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flange being fulcrumed at its inner end, said shoes being in sliding engagement with each other on said inner surfaces; upper and lower friction posts embracing said shoes at opposite sides, said posts having transversely curved, concave friction surfaces on their inner sidesengaging the rounded friction surfaces of said lower and upper shoes, respectively, said upper post having a laterally extending base flange at the upper end projecting from one side thereof, said lower post having a laterally extending base flange at the lower end projecting from the outer side thereof, said base flanges of said posts being fulcrumed on their outer ends to provide tilting movement of said posts: and a coil spring surrounding said posts and hearing at the upper and lower ends on said flanges of said posts.

16. In a friction shock absorber, the combination with upper friction members at opposite sides of the mechanism, extending lengthwise of the mechanism and having laterally extending base flanges at their upper ends projecting from the outer sides thereof; of lower friction members at opposite sides of the mechanism extending lengthwise of the mechanism and having laterally extending base flanges projecting from the outer sides thereof, said upper and lower friction members having lengthwise sliding engagement with each other, and said upper members being alternated with the lower members, said upper and lower members having intereng ln shoulders to limit relative lengthwise separation thereof; and a spring surrounding said upper and lower members and having its upper andlower ends in engagement with the flanges of said upper and lower members, respectively.

STACY B. HASELTINE. GEORGE E. DATH. 

